NYFW is in full swing, and the coolest runway show featured dozens of pint-sized models wearing Chinese mega-brand ANTA in collaboration with Opening Ceremony. The show featured 3 distinct parts – Capsule, X Evolution, and Playmaker – and highlighted the newest collections for ANTA, the first Chinese brand to tap into the sportswear mass market back in 2008.

Positioned as a children’s sportswear brand that offers good value-for-money, highly comfortable products, and incredibly fashionable looks, ANTA Kids is a go-to for children aged 0 – 14. The inspiration behind the SS20 fashion show was to design concepts from children’s perspectives to both present and explain children’s leading fashion. The unique set was inspired by Olympic medal podiums and featured celeb kids, and child breakdancers, while supermodel moms like Candice Swanepoel, Alessandra Ambrosio sat front row with their minis.

The runway show featured edgy streetwear pieces in bright, neon colours with orange accents on almost every piece continuing a theme of orange that seems to be permeating New York Fashion Week runways. The collection had a 90’s hip hop street style vibe that would make Will Smith a’ la “Fresh Prince of Bel Aire” proud. Nylon belted jackets gave way to undershirts that popped in color and matching sneakers with velcro straps. From basketball to tennis and skiing to hockey, the mini models rocked sportswear looks like matching velour shorts and tank tops and jacket hoods buttoned onto ski goggles. Every look was accessorized with ANTA Kids gear like duffle bags, cross-body bags, branded socks, headbands, helmets and bucket hats.

The X evolution collection highlighted technology in footwear. A unique A-FIIX system gives consumers a self-tying shoe though the use of a smart chip! Both trendy and totally tech.

The Playmaker X Origins collection was designed in collaboration with Opening Ceremony.

In order to accomplish the futuristic aspect of this collection, we invested a lot of resources on the technology used in our products, some of which are industry breakthroughs with eye-catching features,” said the designer of ANTA Kids, Jiang Wei. “Using fiber optic technology, our high-tech dual-layered fabric can emit light. The outer layer absorbs surrounding light and using fiber optics, creates a futuristic visual effect, while the inner layer is a mixture of cotton and bamboo charcoal fiber, providing comfort to the wearer,” Jiang continued.

Our favourite part of the show? Fellow Canadian mom and supermodel Coco Rocha and her sweet daughter Ioni who made an appearance on the runway wearing matching red and white sportswear sets.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 08: China Day: Anta Kids during New York Fashion Week: The Shows on September 08, 2019 in New York City. (All photos by Noam Galai/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows)